Shoeboxed Team Spotlight: Mike

It’s time for everyone’s favorite monthly feature: The Shoeboxed Team Spotlight! Each month we interview a member of our team so you can get to know the people helping you get organized.

This month the spotlight is on Mike Hourigan, our Marketing Manager who manages the affiliate marketing program.

Shoeboxed: So tell us a little about yourself, Mike.

Mike: Even though I was born in Georgia, I am a North Carolinian at heart. I was raised in Huntersville, North Carolina, and attended UNC-Chapel Hill where I majored in advertising. My two lifelong passions are traveling and playing golf (preferably traveling to play golf). I’m also huge history nerd.

SBX: How did you come to join Shoeboxed?

Mike: I started interning at Shoeboxed after my freshman year of college. My older sister Caitlin was actually working here at the time and that’s how I got my foot in the door. Since I started with Shoeboxed, I have fallen in love with marketing and can’t see myself doing anything else.

SBX: You’re the longest standing intern at Shoeboxed ever. How has your first month of a full time job been different? What are you excited about now that you dedicate all your time to Shoeboxed instead of splitting time with school? What advantages do you feel like you have as an intern-turned-employee?

Mike: Transitioning from an intern to a full time employee has been a breath of fresh air. Aside from no longer having to leave work to camp out at the library, I’m extremely happy to officially to be part of the Shoeboxed family. I’m most excited about dedicating all my time to my job because Shoeboxed is growing so quickly that there will never be a dull moment.

I’d have to say the biggest advantage of being an intern-turned-employee is having seen how the product has evolved over the years.

SBX: What all do you do around here? What new tasks have you taken on?

Mike: My primary role at Shoeboxed is managing our affiliate marketing program. If you’re not familiar with our affiliate program, we pay affiliate partners $30-$60 for referring people to Shoeboxed via their websites, blogs or social media pages. Current Shoeboxed customers make the best affiliates so if you’re interested in making some money on the side please join our affiliate program here.

Now that I’m full-time, I will be working a lot more with the company’s social media advertising, PR, content marketing and business development. I’m especially looking forward to working with our VP of Business Development, Joel Bush, on our next round of partner integrations.

SBX: What’s your favorite part of working here?

Mike: My favorite part about working at Shoeboxed is definitely the unique office dynamic. One moment we’re involved in a serious brainstorming session and the next we’re out back playing six-on-six football. A work environment doesn’t really get much better than that.

SBX: Describe yourself in 3 words.

Mike: Practical, Upbeat, Committed

SBX: When you’re not working, what would we find you doing?

Mike: When I’m not working you can find me hitting range balls at the golf course or playing disc golf at UNC’s outdoor recreation center. If I’m not in the mood to be outside, then I’m probably kicking back with friends and catching up on episodes of Game of Thrones.

SBX: Give us one tip for staying organized!

Mike: Every Sunday afternoon I devote about 30 minutes to cleaning out my car. I throw away the fast food wrappers, collect the loose change and shoeboxed all of the receipts that have fallen beneath my seat. Although this is different from the Sunday fundays I used to have in college, having a clean car on Monday morning sure is a great way to start off the week.

SBX: What’s your favorite thing about Durham?

Mike: My favorite thing about Durham is how the city has kept it’s original feel despite its rapid growth. Downtown Durham is still plastered with old cigarette billboards, smokestacks from factories of yesteryear and many of the buildings have kept their original names.

SBX: What’s the best purchase you’ve ever made?

Mike: My plane ticket to Ecuador where I spent two weeks after graduation. Definitely the trip of a lifetime.

SBX: Give us your six word memoir.

Mike: “With Liberty and Justice for all”

Thanks for the interview, Mike. Stay tuned next month for an interview with another Shoeboxed team member!